In a decisive move following the breakdown of peace negotiations, former President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will enforce a blockade on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This announcement came after Iran’s reluctance to abandon its nuclear objectives became apparent.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump expressed his views early on Sunday morning, stating, “Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions.” This sentiment underscores the growing tension between the two nations and sets the stage for potential conflict in the region.

On Saturday, the USS Franklin Petersen and the USS Michael Murphy, two formidable US warships, navigated through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a robust show of force. This critical waterway, barely 21 miles at its narrowest, is a hotspot teeming with dangers, including mines and the ever-present threat of missile and drone attacks emanating from the rugged Iranian terrain.

The strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz cannot be overstated. Any attempt by the US to impose a blockade or secure the area could lead to significant military confrontations, posing a risky proposition for the naval forces involved.

Adding to the escalating situation, Trump further remarked in his Sunday post that “Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so.” These developments heighten the stakes in an already volatile region, with the world watching closely to see how this geopolitical drama unfolds.

‘This caused anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and Countries throughout the World. They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their “mine droppers,” have been completely blown up.’

‘They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance? There is great dishonor and permanent harm to the reputation of Iran, and what’s left of their “Leaders,” but we are beyond all of that,’ Trump continued.

US President Donald Trump makes a fist upon arrival at Miami International Airport in Miami, on April 11, 2026

President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Sunday, April 12th, 2026 

President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Sunday, April 12th, 2026 

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, April 11, as two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations

‘As they promised, they better begin the process of getting this International Waterway Open and Fast! Every Law in the book is being violated by them,’ the President added.

Trump also said the U.S. was ready to ‘finish up’ Iran at the ‘appropriate moment, stressing that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions were at the core of the failure to end the war.

The President is also under increased pressure domestically, as gas prices nationwide surpassed $4.00 per gallon this week. Prices have increased over a dollar per gallon on average nationwide since the start of the war, per AAA.

Face-to-face talks ended earlier Sunday after 21 hours, leaving a fragile two-week ceasefire in doubt.

U.S. officials said the negotiations collapsed over what they described as Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning a path to a nuclear weapon, while Iranian officials blamed the U.S. for the breakdown of the talks without specifying the sticking points.

Neither side indicated what will happen after the 14-day ceasefire expires on April 22. Pakistani mediators urged all parties to maintain it. Both said their positions were clear and put the onus on the other side, underscoring how little the gap had narrowed throughout the talks.

“We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vice President JD Vance said after the talks.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who led Iran in the negotiations, said it was time for the United States ‘to decide whether it can gain our trust or not.’

He did not mention the core disputes in a series of social media posts, though Iranian officials earlier said the talks fell apart over two or three key issues, blaming what they called U.S. overreach.

Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons but has insisted on its right to a civilian nuclear program. It has offered ‘affirmative commitments’ in the past in writing, including in the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Experts say its stockpile of enriched uranium, though not weapons-grade, is only a short technical step away.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, it has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and caused lasting damage to infrastructure in half a dozen Middle Eastern countries. Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the global economy, sending energy prices soaring.

MARSH HARBOUR, Bahamas – In an exclusive report, a security guard at a Bahamas boatyard revealed that Brian Hooker appeared both thirsty and exhausted when he arrived at the facility. Hooker washed ashore hours after his wife vanished in a turbulent sea over the weekend.

Edward Smith, who works at the Marsh Harbour Boatyards—a popular boat storage and repair site in this tourist hotspot—was informed by a colleague about a man who had wandered onto the premises, seemingly disoriented and mentioning a key and a woman.

The man in question was Brian Hooker, 58, who is now detained in a Freeport, Bahamas, jail. Hooker reported that his wife, Lynette Hooker, fell overboard from their dinghy while they were returning to their yacht from a bar in Hope Town.

The Marsh Harbour Boatyards, where an employee reported seeing Brian Hooker arrive on a nearby beach early on Sunday morning, April 5, 2026, was the scene of his unexpected landing after his wife’s disappearance. The photo was taken on April 11, 2026. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

The previous evening, on April 4, the Hookers had been enjoying dinner and drinks at the Abaco Inn, a well-known restaurant in Hope Town, often referred to by locals as “Elbow Cay.” This spot is located several miles away by sea from the rocky beach in Marsh Harbour where Hooker eventually came ashore.

“He said he was on a cay, like at a bar, having something to eat or drink, and they came out to go to another place or back to their boat, but somehow they got out in the rough weather, and they had that incident, the lady [went] overboard, or whatever,” Smith told Fox News Digital on Saturday.

Smith declined to be video recorded or photographed.

Exterior view of the Abaco Inn, Hope Town, The Bahamas, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Brian Hooker, and his wife, Lynette Hooker, were seen having dinner here on Saturday night before Lynette was reportedly lost at sea after falling off of the couple’s boat. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)

Hooker was arrested for questioning while police investigate Lynette’s disappearance. He told police that seas were rough just after sundown when the pair attempted to return to their yacht, and that Lynette fell overboard with the dinghy’s key in her pocket, cutting off the engine. Hooker drifted and paddled on the dinghy for the next several hours, eventually arriving on the boatyard’s shore around 4 a.m. the next day. 

“He drifted from that time until the time he hit here,” said Smith. 

A small bit of rocky beach in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, where Brian Hooker is said to have washed ashore early on April 5, 2026, after his wife Lynette Hooker went missing. Photo taken on April 11, 2026. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

Police have not charged Hooker with a crime, and he maintains that Lynette fell overboard by accident. He was arrested and transported to Freeport, a separate Bahamian island, on Wednesday. Bahamian law calls for a 48-hour limit to hold someone without charging them with a crime. 

Under special circumstances, that time can be extended. In this case, it was, as Hooker’s attorney, Terrel Butler, said Friday night that officials decided to keep Hooker in custody for up to another 72 hours. The deadline for his release is now Monday at around 7:30 p.m., but he could be released at any time if authorities decide not to charge him. 

He is being questioned in relation to the Bahamian crime “causing harm resulting in death.”

Smith said Hooker did not appear suspicious when the pair met. 

“He was more exhausted than anything else,” said Smith. “He was asking for water. He wanted water to drink.” 

“I asked him, ‘so where is the lady?’” Smith recalled. “He says, ‘she’s in the water.’”

Smith said he asked Hooker what time Lynette fell in the water, to which he replied 7 p.m., which shocked him. 

The Marsh Harbour Boatyards, where an employee says Brian Hooker washed ashore on an adjacent beach early Sunday morning, April 5, 2026, after his wife disappeared. Photo taken April 11, 2026. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

“So I say, ‘from seven? And you’re just reaching [the shore] now?’” Smith said. “He said the wind was blowing so strong, so when that happened, the boat blew away from him and he couldn’t really see in the dark.”

According to Smith, Hooker told him that when he last saw Lynette, she was swimming back toward Hope Town with a yellow bag on her person. He said Hooker was wearing a yellow bag when he washed ashore, too. 

Hooker told Smith he tried to signal for help from the small vessel. 

“He said he sent up two flares,” said Smith. “The first flare he sent up, there was a boat that passed and they didn’t respond to it. He said another boat passed, he sent up another flare, and they didn’t respond to it.” 

Smith called the police to assist Hooker. He said the police arrived at about 5 a.m., and Hooker was still talking to them when Smith’s shift ended at 7 a.m. 

A small bit of rocky beach in Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, where Brian Hooker is said to have washed ashore early on April 5, 2026, after his wife Lynette Hooker went missing. Photo taken on April 11, 2026. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

Bahamian authorities have been tight-lipped about the process, but the investigation into Lynette’s disappearance remains ongoing. 

A second employee of the boatyard told Fox News Digital that police returned there Saturday, but did not elaborate on their activities. 

A source with knowledge of the investigation told Fox News Digital on Saturday that authorities are searching for Lynette’s body near Hope Town.